Escaping a Submerged Vehicle Popular Mechanics - It's important for all of us to know exactly what to do if we are ever in the situation that our vehicle becomes surrounded or submerged in water. According to the National Highway and Transportation Administration, about 400 people die every year in the U.S. from drowning in their vehicles. The important thing to remember is to act quickly. The University of Manitoba’s Gordon Geisbrecht said a person has a minute to get out successfully. Geisbrecht trains law enforcement officers and others on underwater-vehicle escape. He has five rules everyone should follow in order to survive. Please Remember These Rules Rule 1. Don’t use your phone to call for help, wait until you are out of the vehicle. “Time is critical,” says Geisbrecht. By the time help arrives, it could be too late. Remember- EVERY SECOND COUNTS!!! Rule 2. Unbuckle. Do this as soon as you can. Rule 3. Roll down the window! Don’t attempt to open the door, there ...